(UN)Conventional Wealth

What does it take to build a successful practice in a highly specialized niche? Dr. Stephen Wangen, an expert in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), shares how he pioneered a unique approach to gut health and grew his business by solving problems others couldn’t.

In this episode, Dan Nicholson speaks with Dr. Stephen Wangen, founder of the IBS Treatment Center, about his journey from general naturopathic medicine to becoming a leading specialist in IBS. Dr. Wangen discusses the challenges he faced in finding his niche, the complexities of treating IBS, and the role of innovation and perseverance in building a successful practice. He also shares valuable insights on maintaining resilience while adapting to industry changes and evolving patient needs. Dr. Wangen’s dedication to solving digestive health issues has helped countless individuals regain hope and health.

Key Takeaways:

1. Niche is essential: Dr. Wangen realized early on that specializing in IBS allowed him to stand out in a crowded field and provide deep expertise to his patients.
2. IBS is more than a label: Most people diagnosed with IBS receive little guidance beyond a general label, but Dr. Wangen’s approach digs deeper to find the underlying causes.
3. The importance of persistence: Whether in business or healthcare, being ahead of your time means pushing through challenges and continuously adapting.
4. Patient education is key: Dr. Wangen emphasizes the need to educate patients about their digestive issues, as they often don't receive sufficient explanations from general practitioners.
5. Personalized care wins: In an era of cookie-cutter healthcare, Dr. Wangen’s personalized approach offers a competitive edge, especially for those who have exhausted other options.

Quotes from Dr. Stephen Wangen:

1. "I specialize in treating IBS because I realized I needed a niche to truly succeed in my business."
2. "Our business model is unique—we help people get better, and then they’re gone. That’s the challenge, but also the reward."

How to Reach Dr. Stephen Wangen:

https://www.ibstreatmentcenter.com/about-us

Take the Assessment Test and sign up for newsletter from Dan Nicholson at https://www.unconventionalwealth.cash/newsletter-directory

What does it take to continually start over and succeed in both extreme sports and entrepreneurship?

In this episode, Dan Nicholson interviews Wilson Kriegel, a serial entrepreneur and endurance athlete with a remarkable story. Wilson shares how he navigated adversity, founded multiple companies, and climbed some of the world’s toughest summits. He discusses his unique approach to managing risk, balancing physical and intellectual challenges, and how embracing neuroplasticity helped him transform his life from a challenging childhood to becoming a high achiever. This conversation dives into resilience, mindset, and the importance of continually evolving, both in life and business.

Key Takeaways:

1. Starting Over Builds Resilience: Wilson emphasizes the power of starting over and pushing yourself into uncomfortable situations to grow stronger mentally and physically.
2. Risk Is Inevitable: According to Wilson, not taking risks is the greatest risk of all. Embracing risk leads to the most meaningful accomplishments in life.
3. Physical Challenges Enhance Mental Strength: Wilson found that his physical endeavors in endurance sports helped shape his intellectual growth and success in business.
4. Accountability Is Key: Personal accountability and resilience are foundational for overcoming adversity and reaching new heights in both personal and professional realms.
5. Constant Learning and Evolving: Wilson stresses the importance of never becoming stagnant and continually evolving both your mindset and skill set to succeed at higher levels.

Quote from Wilson Kriegel:

"The biggest risk of it all is the regret of not living things that you can live and achieve. The burden of that is unbearable."

How to Reach Wilson Kriegel:

You can connect with Wilson Kriegel via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilsondk/

Be sure to take the wealth assessment quiz and sign up for Dan's newsletter: https://www.unconventionalwealth.cash/newsletter-directory

How can you navigate financial planning in a chaotic economic and political landscape?

In this episode, Dan Nicholson interviews Bryan Kuderna, a Certified Financial Planner and author, about the impact of economic trends and political policies on personal finance. Bryan offers insights on staying focused amidst market uncertainties, understanding the potential implications of tax policies, and the importance of long-term planning.

Key Takeaways:

1. Election Impact: Focus on long-term goals rather than short-term political changes.
2. Tax Policy: Stay informed but avoid overreacting to proposed tax changes.
3. National Debt: Addressing entitlement programs is crucial for economic stability.
4. Simplified Advice: Clear, simple financial strategies lead to long-term success.
5. Immigration's Role: Balanced immigration policies are key to sustained economic growth.

Quote from Bryan Kuderna:

"If you want to live many lives, read many books. But if you want to live forever, write." — Bryan Kuderna

How to Reach Bryan Kuderna:

Visit bryankuderna.com to subscribe to his newsletter and follow his podcast, The Kuderna Podcast. Connect on social media @bkuderna.

Take the Assessment Test and sign up for newsletter from Dan Nicholson at https://www.unconventionalwealth.cash/newsletter-directory

Are you ready to transform your snacking habits while contributing to a more sustainable world?

In this episode of "(UN) Conventional Wealth," host Dan Nicholson sits down with Nathalia Rojas, the CEO & Co-Founder of 2FIT BRANDS. Nathalia shares her inspiring journey from competitive gymnastics to founding a company dedicated to creating vegan, keto-friendly, gluten-free snacks that are as delicious as they are healthy. She discusses how her background in gymnastics influenced her approach to wellness and sustainability, and how she turned her passion into a thriving business. Nathalia also explores the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship and offers valuable insights into building a brand that aligns with personal values and global trends.

Key Takeaways:

• The Power of Purpose: Nathalia emphasizes the importance of aligning your business with a strong personal mission, which can drive success and fulfillment.
• Sustainable Snacking: Learn how 2FIT BRANDS is revolutionizing the snack industry with its commitment to health and sustainability.
• Entrepreneurial Insights: Nathalia shares her tips for overcoming obstacles, staying motivated, and growing a successful business.
• Gymnastics to Business: Discover how Nathalia’s athletic background provided her with the discipline and resilience needed to excel in the business world.

Quote from Nathalia:

"Creating a product that not only tastes good but also supports a healthier planet is what drives me every day."

How to Reach Nathalia Rojas:

Connect with Nathalia Rojas on LinkedIn or visit the 2FIT BRANDS website at www.2fitbrands.com to learn more about her mission and products.

What happens when a former professional athlete channels his competitive spirit and discipline into creating a groundbreaking business?

In this episode of (UN) Conventional Wealth, host Dan Nicholson dives deep with Alex Neist, a former professional quarterback who has successfully transitioned into entrepreneurship. Alex founded Hostage Tape, a company revolutionizing the sleep aid industry. He shares his compelling journey from the gridiron to the boardroom, detailing how his athletic background shaped his business acumen. This episode is packed with valuable insights into the mindset and strategies that can transform athletic success into entrepreneurial achievement.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Leveraging Athletic Mindset: Discover how Alex harnessed the discipline, resilience, and competitive nature developed in sports to thrive in the business world.

✅ Market Disruption: Learn how Alex identified a common yet overlooked problem and turned a simple idea into a thriving, market-leading business.

✅ Strategic Growth: Understand the importance of brand differentiation and the bold decisions that helped Hostage Tape stand out in the crowded sleep aid market.

✅ Overcoming Challenges: Gain insights into the unique obstacles faced when transitioning from professional sports to entrepreneurship and how Alex successfully navigated them.

Quote from Alex Neist:

"I’ve always believed that the discipline and drive I developed as an athlete are the same qualities that fuel my success in business. It’s about pushing through challenges and constantly striving to be the best."

How to Reach the Guest:

To learn more about Alex Neist and Hostage Tape, visit HostageTape.com or connect with him on LinkedIn at Alex Neist.

Be sure to visit https://www.unconventionalwealth.cash/ and take the wealth assessment and sign up for Dan's newsletter! 

What do a professional football player and a financial planner have in common? As it turns out, the answer is a strong sense of goal orientation, exceptional perseverance, and the ability to reverse-engineer the process of reaching the finish line.

Jedidiah Collins’ eclectic story began with a record-breaking stint in college football at Washington State. He then spent 8 years in the NFL, much of which was spent with the Saints. The wealth of knowledge and strategy he gained there unexpectedly carried over to a financial planning career with industry giant Brighton Jones. Ever evolving, Jedidiah got involved with speaking and started the Rookie to Veteran podcast, dedicating himself to teaching others the ins and outs of financial fitness.

On this episode of the (UN) Conventional Wealth podcast, host Dan Nicholson and Jedidiah share insights on topics ranging from the lessons we can take from Drew Brees’ practice rituals to how journaling connects you to your loved ones and yourself and the critical importance of beginning with the end in mind.

What You’ll Learn

👉 How incremental gains add up to a lofty goal

👉 Why following the process will bring the results to you

👉 What Oreos have to do with your spending habits

Favorite Quote

“I can steal inches daily. And that’s how I’m truly going to add up and get to the ultimate objective, is by identifying, where are those marginal gains I can go and get?”

• Jedidiah Collins

Connect with Jedidiah Collins

🔗 LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jedidiah-collins/

Website: https://jedidiahcollins.com/

How to Get Involved

🚀 Take the Wealth Type Assessment at https://www.unconventionalwealth.cash/.

Have you ever taken time to examine the factors that make up your idea of success? For many of us, those factors come from our upbringing, peers, or industry. So, in your case, who’s at the wheel? 

Justin and Michelle DeMers met in college as fellow art students. As they built their first photography business together, they realized that simple beauty isn’t enough to sustain actual meaning or satisfying success. There has to be more. The two of them combined their strengths—Justin’s vision and Michelle’s organizational mind—and created a life and a way forward filled with success and impact as they define it.

On this episode of the (UN) Conventional Wealth podcast, Dan sits down with Justin and Michelle to discuss the path they took into a world of independent creativity, how putting in the effort to connect deeply with clients changes the game, and structuring a business (and therefore a life) that helps you play your own game to the best of your ability. Listen in to embrace what makes your way the best way.

What You’ll Learn 

• Why Michelle and Justin believe that beauty should be backed up by substance - and how it impacted their business in the early days
• How to gather social proof from clients without damaging the relationship by making it transactional
• Why seemingly risky choices may actually be a necessary, and safer than you think, part of your upward trajectory
• And much more!

Favorite Quote

“Take a pause and make sure that you're actually going in the direction that you want, not the direction that others may think is more attractive or impressive. And make sure you've got good support to help you make the change when change seems hard or when it's uncertain. But if you can see that where your path is taking you is not where you want to be, you need to make a change somehow.”

- Justin and Michelle DeMers

How to get involved

• Visit Dan Nicholson’s website - Nth Degree CPA’s and the Rigging The Game to learn how he helps small business owners cultivate good accounting and tax practices to achieve their financial goals. To rig the game to win and to set the outcomes that you want in life and business.
•  Get the news that gets you closer to what you want with Certainty News.

Enjoyed the Podcast? Be sure to subscribe on iTunes and leave a review. We love to hear your feedback and we’d love for you to help us spread the word!

Have you ever wondered how the discipline from competitive sports can transform a family business? Discover how athletic principles shape business success in this episode!

In this episode, we sit down with Rustin Yasavolian, the second-generation CEO of Messina Diamonds in Atlanta. Rustin shares how his background in competitive soccer and bodybuilding has influenced his approach to running a successful family-owned jewelry business. He highlights the importance of balancing tradition with innovation, effective client communication, and continuous improvement. Rustin's journey from the sports field to the business world provides valuable insights into the transferable skills that contribute to entrepreneurial success.

Key Takeaways:

• ⚽ Sports Skills in Business: The discipline, teamwork, and competitiveness developed in sports are directly applicable to running a business.
• 💡 Balancing Tradition and Innovation: Successfully integrating new ideas with established practices is crucial for long-term success in family businesses.
• 📞 Effective Client Communication: Proactive communication throughout the custom design process ensures client satisfaction and prevents misunderstandings.
• 🔄 Continuous Improvement: The mindset of constant refinement and creativity in bodybuilding parallels the approach needed for business growth.
• 💼 Reinvesting for Growth: Investing profits back into the business, focusing on technology, marketing, and hiring, yields substantial returns.

Quote from Rustin: "I would rather make less money on the front end but produce something great for you because that turns into free advertisement for me."

How to Reach Rustin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rustin-yasavolian-06ba78bb

Be sure to subscribe to Dan Nicholson's newsletter: https://www.unconventionalwealth.cash/newsletter-directory

How much time do you spend following your advice instead of someone else’s? In life and work, it can be challenging to tune out the ready-made business advice all over the internet and move forward uniquely—but the rewards are worth it.

Guest Spotlight: Dan Barrett

Dan Barrett is an artist and an online real estate marketer by trade. As the founder of AdWords Nerds, he combines his creativity with his business acumen to help others live more fulfilling lives.

Episode Highlights

In this episode of the (UN) Conventional Wealth podcast, Dan and Dan discuss:

• Creativity Meets Analysis: Exploring how their personalities blend creativity with analytical skills and how bias can affect which trait is more dominant.
• Preference vs. Binary: The pivotal moment Dan Barrett realized the importance of this concept in his SEO work and the key questions he now asks to ensure he’s making the best decisions.
• Intentional Writing: Consistent, purposeful writing has transformed Dan Barrett's life, work, and sense of self.

Key Takeaways

• Paths to Success: Discover why Dan Barrett views creativity and analysis as means to achieve the same goal, emphasizing that the result is more important than the method.
• Standing Out: Learn why mimicking your competition won’t give you an edge and how to pivot to carve your path.
• Embracing Rebellion: Hear about Dan Barrett’s journey to harness his rebellious streak and evolve into his best self.

Memorable Quote

“There is so much more in life that is preference than binary, right? So much more of reality is open to your influence than you think. And that's really, really fun and a little exciting and a little scary sometimes. But it's liberating in the deepest sense of the word.”

— Dan Barrett

Check out Dan's website: https://adwordsnerds.com/

Visit Dan Nicholson’s website and Rigging The Game to learn how he helps small business owners cultivate good accounting and tax practices to achieve their financial goals.

Enjoyed the podcast? Be sure to subscribe on iTunes and leave a review. We love to hear your feedback and appreciate your help in spreading the word! Also, don’t miss out on more insights and updates—join our newsletter today!

Where do we get our definition of success from, and how often do we challenge it? It's tempting to grow and achieve within the walls we've been taught to surround ourselves with, but breaking through those walls and creating in a way that's uniquely ours can take us further than we ever imagined.

Randy Massengale is an educator and coach dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and business owners succeed with strategies, philosophies, and habits tailored to their unique blend of creativity and expertise. He has shared his insights with industry giants like Intel and Microsoft and is an avid reader with a passion for self-education.

In this episode of the Rigging the Game podcast, Dan and Randy delve into why mentorship is crucial for success, the difference between I-shaped and T-shaped people, and the art of staying in your lane. Tune in to start growing on your own terms.

What You’ll Learn

• Why formal education isn’t completely useless
• How doing the research changes the game
• What to do about the energy-sucking people in your life
• And much more!

Favorite Quote

“I bring back the creativity as a coach, I'm trying to bring back the creativity and then have you do it within context. You may do it within the financial world. Someone else may do it within technology. Someone else may do it within fashion, but there's still this creativity that we want to bring to bear on it rather than we just reinforce rules all the time.”

- Randy Massengale

Connect with Randy Massengale

• SPU.edu - Bio of Randy
• Seattle University
• LinkedIn

How to Get Involved

Visit Dan Nicholson’s website - Nth Degree CPAs and Rigging The Game to learn how he helps small business owners cultivate good accounting and tax practices to achieve their financial goals. Rig the game to win and set the outcomes you want in life and business. Get closer to what you want with Certainty News.

Enjoyed the Podcast?

Be sure to subscribe on iTunes and leave a review. We love hearing your feedback and would appreciate your help in spreading the word!